Drogheda port access route
Deputy Imelda Munster pressed again for funding for the port access northern cross route in Drogheda under LIHAF. The Taoiseach said the Housing Minister would examine it and no off-the-cuff commitment could be made.
Yet again I raise the issue of funding for the port access northern cross route in Drogheda, which was rejected by the previous Government. Louth County Council has made another application under the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, for this vital and badly needed piece of infrastructure. It would also open up lands to provide homes in the depths of a housing crisis. Just over a year ago the new Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, was in Drogheda with Fianna Fáil councillors in the run-up to the local elections. He called for the funding to be provided for the northern cross route. Little did he know that just over a year later he would be Minister in that Department with the ability to ensure that that funding can be given for the northern cross route. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment to deliver that funding? Can we take as genuine the Minister's word that funding should be provided? Will he deliver? Will the Taoiseach reassure me and the people of Drogheda that he will deliver that funding for the northern cross route?
Comment on this
The relevant Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Housing, Planning and Local Government-----
Comment on this
The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has a clear role and responsibility here. Obviously, he will examine this now as the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. Certainly, we will see what we can do on it. I will not make any off-the-cuff commitments today. Given the opportunity to increase the building of housing, it is obviously something we will look at very carefully.